Goma: Chaos as displaced civilians and humanitarian workers trapped in the crossfire

• On May 3, 2024, several sites and camps for internally displaced persons in the west of the city of Goma witnessed intense violence.
• The International NGO Forum in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ‘FONGI-DRC' which expresses deep concern about the worsening security situation.
• Internally displaced people find themselves trapped amid heavy artillery fighting, resulting in an alarming increase in the risks to their safety and their lives.
• This critical situation is also impacting the safety of humanitarian workers in camps and their ability to deliver essential support to affected populations.
• HI has set up two mobile clinics in North-Kivu and deployed teams of psychologists and physiotherapists. On average, 75% of the people HI is supporting in North Kivu show signs of psychological distress. 

Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo – On May 3, 2024, several sites and camps for internally displaced persons in the west of the city of Goma witnessed intense violence. Explosions were reported in several sites, accompanied by exchanges of fire. According to initial information from international NGOs present on-site and witnesses to the events, this escalation of violence tragically cost the lives of many people, including children, and injured more than 30 others.

The International NGO Forum in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ‘FONGI-DRC' (of which HI is a member) expresses its deep concern about the worsening security situation, which endangers civilians' lives and severely hampers access to necessary emergency services. 

"Over the last few months, the equivalent of entire towns have poured into the camps around Goma; the situation is chaotic. Households of six people are living in one or two square metres of space," says Héritier Djunga, head of HI's mental health project in North Kivu.

The escalation of tensions between the armed forces is putting tens of thousands of displaced people in Goma in a desperate situation, with no other refuge than sites and camps that are threatened with becoming combat zones. Internally displaced people find themselves trapped in heavy artillery fighting, resulting in an alarming increase in the risks to their personal safety, their lives, and those of their families. This critical situation is also impacting the safety of humanitarian workers in camps and their ability to maintain essential humanitarian assistance to affected populations.

“We are trapped in the crossfire, with fewer and fewer safe places to conduct our operations. Each explosion brings the war closer to the supposedly protected spaces where the displaced desperately need our help and assistance,” reports a representative of an NGO member of ‘FONGI-DRC, which has staff present on site.

"There is immense sadness and a sense of helplessness among us. We see terrified families and children, and the continued fighting limits our ability to help. A displacement site or camp should not be a battlefield. We are doing everything we can, but the situation is beyond the capabilities of humanitarian actors," says a humanitarian worker supporting people in the camps.

HI provides rehabilitation and psychosocial care to displaced people

This context of violence and population displacement has consequences not only for people's physical health, but also for their wellbeing and mental health. HI notes that, on average, 75% of the people supported by its interventions in North Kivu show signs of psychological distress. 

"Psychological distress manifests itself differently from one person to another: some people experience somatisation and show physical signs of their ill-being, such as headaches, pain or insomnia. Others adopt defence mechanisms or show signs of depression, such as tiredness and profound sadness. Four people have already committed suicide at the Lac Vert site in recent weeks," explains Héritier.

HI and our partners are determined to remain engaged with affected communities and will continue to work tirelessly to meet their urgent needs despite the sever and growing security challenges.

Notes

•    Humanity & Inclusion spokespersons available for interview

HI’s work in North Kivu:

HI has set up two mobile clinics in North-Kivu in collaboration with the NGO Première Urgence Internationale, to provide care to displaced people, particularly those living to the west of Goma

The teams deployed by HI are made up of psychologists who run mental health awareness sessions for displaced populations and group or individual psychosocial support sessions for people experiencing psychological distress, and physiotherapists who identify people in need of rehabilitation care. This care includes physiotherapy sessions, the provision of mobility aids, such as crutches or walking sticks, and advice on how to use them to improve people’s autonomy.